What Is DECA?
DECA is an international student organization of marketing students. The organization allows
members to learn and experience marketing in more depth both in high school and in college. The
high school division includes approximately 185,000 students at over 5,000 schools. DECA has
chapters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, China, Germany, Guam, Hong Kong,
Korea, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The collegiate division includes roughly 15,000 members at over
200 campuses.
DECA members compete in state and international competitions each year. State is held annually in February. This year
state will be in Great Falls. Those students qualifying for ICDC (International Career Development Conference) compete
in late April/early May each year. ICDC locations rotate each year with every other year being held at either Disney
World or Disneyland.
Members also have the option of attending a number of leadership, entrepreneurship, sports, and other marketing related
conferences across the country. Students compete in over 40 types of marketing events. Events range from role play
problem solving, sales presentations, written research, and event planning. Topics covered include, but not limited to:
Sports and Entertainment, Apparel and Accessories, Automotive Service, Fashion Merchandising, Food Marketing,
Hospitality and Tourism, Financial Services.
Glacier DECA was established in 2008. Despite having only seven members, two students from Glacier placed in the top
20 in the nation in the Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making Event. Glacier has thus far had five top 20
national finishers in its short history and has grown to roughly 40 student members.
Any student is eligible to join DECA.
DECA Events?
DECA events can be found on the DECA website at http://www.deca.org/competitions/highschool/. DECA events include
role plays, written business research, business plans, sales presentations, promotional campaigns, and online simulations.
Students can compete in multiple events. They must place in the top 3 in role play events, and top 2 in written events, in
order to qualify for ICDC. Presentations are done in one to one format with the judge as if seated in an office.
DECA Practice/Meetings?
DECA meets once a once. Dates are posted online on the school website. Students are expected to:
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Attend a minimum of 4 practice sessions
Participate in working all concessions
OPTIONAL – sell Toyota raffle tickets – each ticket sold is $8 credited towards the students travel costs.
Participate in at least 1 online virtual business event.
Travel and Expenses
DECA membership dues are $30. This covers national, state, and local dues. This is the same activity fee paid for all other
sports and activities at Glacier.
DECA travels twice a year. In February we travel to Great Falls for state for three days. The school and state provide
some funding but each student will likely need to pay approx $30 to cover bus, room, and registration. Food will also be
paid by each student individually. ICDC costs are typically in the $1000-15000 range depending on the destination. This
year should be near the lower end of the range. Disney years are more expensive. We will do fundraisers that include
concessions, raffle sales, and we run the school Talent Show to raise money to offset some of this cost. Students receive
credits towards that cost for time worked. These raised funds are first credit towards state costs and then applied to ICDC
costs. ICDC length of trip varies by location but is normally five or six days.
Meeting Dates
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Sept 15 - 3:30-5:00, Basic Info, Important Dates, Initial Event Signups
Oct 6 - 5:30-7:30, Event Practice, Begin Online and Written Events
Nov 3 - 5:30-7:30, Event Practice, State Costs and Info Discuessed
Dec 1 - 5:30-7:30, Event Practice, Events Finalized and State Costs Due
Jan 12 - 5:30-7:30, Event Practice
Jan 19 - 5:30-7:30, Event Practice
Feb 2 - 5:30-7:30, Final Event Practice before State
All State fees must be paid by December 1st so that dues can be paid to National DECA and hotel
reservations for state can be finalized. State costs vary depending on number attending (rooms needed,
buses needed, etc) as well as individual fundraising participation.
DECA meets the first Tuesday of the month until the holiday break. After the break more meetings are
held as we get closer to state. Students are expected to attend a minimum of 4 meetings to be eligible
for state. They must also participate in concessions dates listed below.
Meetings are held from 5:30 to 7:30 pm to allow students participating in all activities to attend.
Students do not need to attend the entire 2 hours. They need only show up for 30-60 minutes during
the allotted time to work on their events.
Concessions / Fundraising
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Oct 1 - VB vs Sentinel
Oct 8 - VB vs Flathead
Nov 3 - Talent Show Auditions
Nov 9 - Talent Show Rehearsal
Nov 10 - Talent Show Performance
Jan 28 - BB vs Hellgate
Competition Dates
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State Career Development Conference Great
Falls, MT February 7-9, 2016
International Career Development Conference
Nashville, TN - April 22-27, 20
DECA Meetings are held from 5:30-7:30 pm in order to allow students in other activities the opportunity to
participate. Students need to attend at least one hour of the time so the time is flexible and they may come and
go once they have practiced or worked on their events.
Parent Involvement
Parents are encouraged to get involved in DECA as well. Chaperones are needed for state and ICDC.
It is also extremely helpful to the students if parent volunteers are willing to come to practice sessions. At the meetings
parents will act as judges for practice role plays and presentations. This helps provide more input for students and allows
for more efficient practices.
If you are interested in becoming involved please contact Mr. Munro.
Josh Munro
munroj@sd5.k12.mt.us
544-0049